Personally, I’ve never really needed the changing of the calendar year as a reason to set and keep a resolution: so any promises I’m going to make are probably a continuation of what I’ve been working towards for the past few years; although I do have a few running-specific resolutions that I’ve set and intend to see through.
2009 is finally over and 2010 is upon us.  The phrase “Out with the old, in with the new” creates images of hope for a new year, where war and violence come to an end, where the hungry are fed, the sick are healed and the global economic crisis is resolved. 
Albert Einstein said it best when he said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”.  The New Year gives us all a clean slate from which to re-create parts of our live for all the roles we play in life.  Here’s a wish that the runners in us, have an injury free, PR setting 2010, and that we all enjoy the happiness of a year in motion.
Happy New Year.

Show Links:
http://burning2010.com
“Maybe You Should Drive” by Craig Cardiff http://www.craigcardiff.com

In the spirit of all those old cheesy classic television holiday variety show specials by the Osmond Brothers, Bob Hope, Donny and Marie, and the Smothers Brothers: I present for you my first Holiday PodCast Variety Show Special complete with special guests, a musical act, and comedy sketches created to make your season merry and bright.

I don’t expect this episode to become a holiday classic, but it will keep you company as you get a long run in on a cold winters day!

Special appearances by: John Michael Walker, Terry Higgins, Gabby Sherman, Steve Chopper, Kevin Gwin, Toni Harvey, Adam Tinkoff, Mat Chasey, Nic Wong, Dan Medeiros, John Ellis, Joe Steindl, Lynn Runner, and Gordon Scott.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from my home to yours!

Show Links:

“Jingle Bells” by Skid Row http://www.skidrow.com (made available by the Podsafe Music Network)

“Joy to the World” by Hairy Larry http://deltaboogie.com

“Joy to the World” by Two Harps http://twoharps.yolasite.com

And a special gift to all by Gordon Scott: http://www.tiree.blogspot.com

Browning Ross was a talented runner, coach, spokesman, leader and proponent of distance running; at a time when there weren’t too many runners in the world who could actually finish a marathon.

It was through his hard work and passion, that road races in the United States are so popular today.  He made it his mission to spread the word about long distance running, and create the buzz which would lead to the Great Running Boom of the 1970’s.

Also, rest in peace Larry “Legend” Olsen: coach, leader, mentor, and fellow runner.

Show Links:

http://www.rrcahistory.org/longdistancelog.html

Please support Sharon’s run to fight blood cancer: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/napa10/skoontz

http://thedevotedrunner.blogspot.com

http://www.catholiclab.net

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=18305

Larry’s last race: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/09/ma/Nov26_21stAn_set1.shtml

http://runnetcommunity.org

“Go the Distance” by Danny the Multitracker (aka Danny Fong) from Ontario, Canada.

Running a race with a friend is always a good thing because the friendly rivalry will tend to push you past your own comfortable limits.  When I first started running back in December of 1998, I would run every day with a good friend at work; and we would push each other to finish as fast and as strong as we possibly could.  I averaged a 9:10 pace back in those days for my daily and long runs…guess what that pace run over 26.2 miles would get me?

If I had run the race on my own today, I most certainly wouldn’t have pushed myself too hard: I’m still weeks away from the start of my Spring marathon training, and I just had no reason to push myself too hard, risking possible injury.

I had a lot to be thankful for on this day of Thanksgiving; I had my family, my job, my health, and an ankle that was strong enough to let me run a road race.  I had the gift of an entry into Boston, and a good training plan to get me there, with that goal of a sub 4 hour race in the new year not too hard to belive.  And today; I was thankful that my friend Joe challenged me in this 5 mile road race; pushing me to do my best and making me feel like I really might be; once again: Steve Runner.

Show Links:
http://bluedawgsrunning.blogspot.com/
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/09/ma/Nov26_21stAn_set1.shtml
http://runnetcommunity.org
“Changed” by Stray Palace (Paul Durham, Deej Hofer and Paul Bohak) http://straypalace.com